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1.
Mol Metab ; 8: 144-157, 2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29307512

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the EndoC-ßH1 cell line as a model for human beta cells and evaluate its beta cell functionality, focusing on insulin secretion, proliferation, apoptosis and ER stress, with the objective to assess its potential as a screening platform for identification of novel anti-diabetic drug candidates. METHODS: EndoC-ßH1 was transplanted into mice for validation of in vivo functionality. Insulin secretion was evaluated in cells cultured as monolayer and as pseudoislets, as well as in diabetic mice. Cytokine induced apoptosis, glucolipotoxicity, and ER stress responses were assessed. Beta cell relevant mRNA and protein expression were investigated by qPCR and antibody staining. Hundreds of proteins or peptides were tested for their effect on insulin secretion and proliferation. RESULTS: Transplantation of EndoC-ßH1 cells restored normoglycemia in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. Both in vitro and in vivo, we observed a clear insulin response to glucose, and, in vitro, we found a significant increase in insulin secretion from EndoC-ßH1 pseudoislets compared to monolayer cultures for both glucose and incretins. Apoptosis and ER stress were inducible in the cells and caspase 3/7 activity was elevated in response to cytokines, but not affected by the saturated fatty acid palmitate. By screening of various proteins and peptides, we found Bombesin (BB) receptor agonists and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptides (PACAP) to significantly induce insulin secretion and the proteins SerpinA6, STC1, and APOH to significantly stimulate proliferation. ER stress was readily induced by Tunicamycin and resulted in a reduction of insulin mRNA. Somatostatin (SST) was found to be expressed by 1% of the cells and manipulation of the SST receptors was found to significantly affect insulin secretion. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the EndoC-ßH1 cells strongly resemble human islet beta cells in terms of glucose and incretin stimulated insulin secretion capabilities. The cell line has an active cytokine induced caspase 3/7 apoptotic pathway and is responsive to ER stress initiation factors. The cells' ability to proliferate can be further increased by already known compounds as well as by novel peptides and proteins. Based on its robust performance during the functionality assessment assays, the EndoC-ßH1 cell line was successfully used as a screening platform for identification of novel anti-diabetic drug candidates.


Subject(s)
Cell Culture Techniques/methods , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects , Animals , Cell Line , Cells, Cultured , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/therapy , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Humans , Insulin Secretion , Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology , Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism , Mice , Mice, SCID
2.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27933176

ABSTRACT

Glucagon stimulates hepatic glucose production by activating specific glucagon receptors in the liver, which in turn increase hepatic glycogenolysis as well as gluconeogenesis and ureagenesis from amino acids. Conversely, glucagon secretion is regulated by concentrations of glucose and amino acids. Disruption of glucagon signaling in rodents results in grossly elevated circulating glucagon levels but no hypoglycemia. Here, we describe a patient carrying a homozygous G to A substitution in the invariant AG dinucleotide found in a 3' mRNA splice junction of the glucagon receptor gene. Loss of the splice site acceptor consensus sequence results in the deletion of 70 nucleotides encoded by exon 9, which introduces a frame shift and an early termination signal in the receptor mRNA sequence. The mutated receptor neither bound 125I-labeled glucagon nor induced cAMP production upon stimulation with up to 1 µM glucagon. Despite the mutation, the only obvious pathophysiological trait was hyperglucagonemia, hyperaminoacidemia and massive hyperplasia of the pancreatic α-cells assessed by histology. Our case supports the notion of a hepato-pancreatic feedback system, which upon disruption leads to hyperglucagonemia and α-cell hyperplasia, as well as elevated plasma amino acid levels. Together with the glucagon-induced hypoaminoacidemia in glucagonoma patients, our case supports recent suggestions that amino acids may provide the feedback link between the liver and the pancreatic α-cells. LEARNING POINTS: Loss of function of the glucagon receptor may not necessarily lead to the dysregulation of glucose homeostasis.Loss of function of the glucagon receptor causes hyperaminoacidemia, hyperglucagonemia and α-cell hyperplasia and sometimes other pancreatic abnormalities.A hepato-pancreatic feedback regulation of the α-cells, possibly involving amino acids, may exist in humans.

3.
J Clin Invest ; 126(3): 1109-13, 2016 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26901817

ABSTRACT

It has been reported that endogenous retroviruses can contaminate human cell lines that have been passaged as xenotransplants in immunocompromised mice. We previously developed and described 2 human pancreatic ß cell lines (EndoC-ßH1 and EndoC-ßH2) that were generated in this way. Here, we have shown that B10 xenotropic virus 1 (Bxv1), a xenotropic endogenous murine leukemia virus (MuLV), is present in these 2 recently described cell lines. We determined that Bxv1 was also present in SCID mice that were used for in vivo propagation of EndoC-ßH1/2 cells, suggesting that contamination occurred during xenotransplantation. EndoC-ßH1/2 cells released Bxv1 particles that propagated to human 293T and Mus dunni cells. Mobilization assays demonstrated that Bxv1 transcomplements defective MuLV-based retrovectors. In contrast, common rodent ß cell lines, rat INS-1E and RIN-5F cells and mouse MIN6 and ßTC3 cells, displayed either no or extremely weak xenotropic helper activity toward MuLV-based retrovectors, although xenotropic retrovirus sequences and transcripts were detected in both mouse cell lines. Bxv1 propagation from EndoC-ßH1/2 to 293T cells occurred only under optimized conditions and was overall poorly efficient. Thus, although our data imply that MuLV-based retrovectors should be cautiously used in EndoC-ßH1/2 cells, our results indicate that an involuntary propagation of Bxv1 from these cells can be easily avoided with good laboratory practices.


Subject(s)
Insulin-Secreting Cells/virology , Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus/genetics , Animals , Cell Line , Gene Expression , Genome, Viral , Heterografts , Humans , Mice , Mice, SCID , Rats , Viral Envelope Proteins/metabolism , Virus Integration , Virus Replication , Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus/metabolism
4.
Mol Endocrinol ; 30(1): 133-43, 2016 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26649805

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is characterized by insulin insufficiency due to a relative paucity of functional ß-cell mass. Thus, strategies for increasing ß-cell mass in situ are sought-after for therapeutic purposes. Pregnancy is a physiological state capable of inducing robust ß-cell mass expansion, however, the mechanisms driving this expansion are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize pregnancy-induced changes in the islet proteome at the peak of ß-cell proliferation in mice. Islets from pregnant and nonpregnant littermates were compared via 2 proteomic strategies. In vivo pulsed stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture was used to monitor de novo protein synthesis during the first 14.5 days of pregnancy. In parallel, protein abundance was determined using ex vivo dimethyl labelling at gestational day 14.5. Comparison of the 2 datasets revealed 170 islet proteins to be up regulated as a response to pregnancy. These included several proteins, not previously associated with pregnancy-induced islet expansion, such as CLIC1, STMN1, MCM6, PPIB, NEDD4, and HLTF. Confirming the validity of our approach, we also identified proteins encoded by genes known to be associated with pregnancy-induced islet expansion, such as CHGB, IGFBP5, MATN2, EHHADH, IVD, and BMP1. Bioinformatic analyses demonstrated enrichment and activation of the biological functions: "protein synthesis" and "proliferation," and predicted the transcription factors HNF4α, MYC, MYCN, E2F1, NFE2L2, and HNF1α as upstream regulators of the observed expressional changes. As the first characterization of the islet-proteome during pregnancy, this study provides novel insight into the mechanisms involved in promoting pregnancy-induced ß-cell mass expansion and function.


Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation/physiology , Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Proteomics/methods , Animals , Female , Mice , Pregnancy
5.
Diabetes ; 64(12): 4148-57, 2015 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26384384

ABSTRACT

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), produced and secreted by adult ß-cells, functions as an autocrine activator of the ß-cell insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor signaling pathway. Whether this autocrine activity of IGF2 plays a physiological role in ß-cell and whole-body physiology is not known. Here, we studied mice with ß-cell-specific inactivation of Igf2 (ßIGF2KO mice) and assessed ß-cell mass and function in aging, pregnancy, and acute induction of insulin resistance. We showed that glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was markedly reduced in old female ßIGF2KO mice; glucose tolerance was, however, normal because of increased insulin sensitivity. While on a high-fat diet, both male and female ßIGF2KO mice displayed lower GSIS compared with control mice, but reduced ß-cell mass was observed only in female ßIGF2KO mice. During pregnancy, there was no increase in ß-cell proliferation and mass in ßIGF2KO mice. Finally, ß-cell mass expansion in response to acute induction of insulin resistance was lower in ßIGF2KO mice than in control mice. Thus, the autocrine action of IGF2 regulates adult ß-cell mass and function to preserve in vivo GSIS in aging and to adapt ß-cell mass in response to metabolic stress, pregnancy hormones, and acute induction of insulin resistance.


Subject(s)
Aging , Insulin Resistance , Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism , Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism , Insulin/metabolism , Receptor, IGF Type 1/agonists , Signal Transduction , Allostasis , Animals , Apoptosis , Cell Proliferation , Crosses, Genetic , Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Glucose Intolerance/etiology , Glucose Intolerance/metabolism , Glucose Intolerance/pathology , Insulin Secretion , Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/genetics , Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology , Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology , Male , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Transgenic , Pregnancy , Receptor, IGF Type 1/genetics , Receptor, IGF Type 1/metabolism , Sex Characteristics , Tissue Culture Techniques
6.
Islets ; 6(2): e28686, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25483956

ABSTRACT

Regenerative therapy in diabetes with the capacity to reconstitute a functional ß-cell mass sufficient for glycemic control holds the promise to effectively prevent the development of devastating late complications due to the unique ability of the ß-cell to sense and regulate blood-glucose levels. An ability that cannot be mimicked by insulin replacement therapy or any other means of current treatment regiments for very large patient populations. Recently, Douglas A. Melton's group from Harvard University reported the identification of a circulating protein secreted from the liver under insulin resistant states which is sufficient to dramatically and specifically increase the replication rate of ß-cells in the mouse resulting in an increased functional ß-cell mass over time. They re-named the factor betatrophin and described a number of exciting features of this molecule which suggested that it could be a potential candidate for development as a regenerative medicine in diabetes. The official name of the gene encoding mouse betatrophin is Gm6484, but it has been annotated a number of times under different names: EG624219, RIFL, Lipasin and ANGPTL8. The official human gene name is C19orf80, but it has also been annotated as TD26, LOC55908, as well as RIFL, Lipasin, ANGPTL8 and betatrophin.


Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation , Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism , Pancreas/cytology , Peptide Hormones/metabolism , Animals , Female , Humans , Male
7.
Islets ; 5(3): 107-10, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23756674

ABSTRACT

The very modern Kyoto International Conference Center provided the site for the 8th workshop on Beta cells on April 23-26, 2013. The preceding workshops were held in Boston, USA (1991); Kyoto, Japan (1994); Helsingør, Denmark (1997); Helsinki, Finland (2003); El Perello, Spain (2006); Peebles, Scotland (2009); and Helsingør, Denmark (2011). The Kyoto meeting drew more than 200 attendees from 18 different countries. There were 47 main oral presentations, and approximately 75 posters covered virtually all aspects of the pancreas function, development and genetics of disease. Here we will review some of the newest highlights.


Subject(s)
Insulin-Secreting Cells/physiology , Animals , Biomedical Research , Congresses as Topic , Humans , Insulin/metabolism , Insulin Secretion , Islets of Langerhans/cytology , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/physiology , Islets of Langerhans/physiopathology
8.
Development ; 139(1): 33-45, 2012 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22096075

ABSTRACT

Neurog3-induced Dll1 expression in pancreatic endocrine progenitors ostensibly activates Hes1 expression via Notch and thereby represses Neurog3 and endocrine differentiation in neighboring cells by lateral inhibition. Here we show in mouse that Dll1 and Hes1 expression deviate during regionalization of early endoderm, and later during early pancreas morphogenesis. At that time, Ptf1a activates Dll1 in multipotent pancreatic progenitor cells (MPCs), and Hes1 expression becomes Dll1 dependent over a brief time window. Moreover, Dll1, Hes1 and Dll1/Hes1 mutant phenotypes diverge during organ regionalization, become congruent at early bud stages, and then diverge again at late bud stages. Persistent pancreatic hypoplasia in Dll1 mutants after eliminating Neurog3 expression and endocrine development, together with reduced proliferation of MPCs in both Dll1 and Hes1 mutants, reveals that the hypoplasia is caused by a growth defect rather than by progenitor depletion. Unexpectedly, we find that Hes1 is required to sustain Ptf1a expression, and in turn Dll1 expression in early MPCs. Our results show that Ptf1a-induced Dll1 expression stimulates MPC proliferation and pancreatic growth by maintaining Hes1 expression and Ptf1a protein levels.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation/physiology , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Pancreas/embryology , Pancreatic Polypeptide-Secreting Cells/cytology , Stem Cells/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Animals , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism , Bromodeoxyuridine , Calcium-Binding Proteins , Chromatin Immunoprecipitation , Galactosides , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Indoles , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Stem Cells/cytology , Transcription Factor HES-1
9.
Islets ; 2(2): 65-71, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21099298

ABSTRACT

In 2007 a young Japanese female was reported to suffer from a congenital brain malformation with a non-functioning pancreatic endocrine tumor arising from intracranial ectopic pancreatic tissue. Ectopic pancreas is normally confined to other endodermally-derived organs and not previously reported to be found in the brain. Therefore, we sought to better understand the true pancreatic nature of the tissue and to further understand the mechanism by which ectopic pancreas could appear in the brain. A detailed immunohistochemical analysis for pancreatic hormones, transcription factors, ductal/exocrine markers and stem cell markers on sections from the resected tumor tissue was performed. All five endocrine cell types are observed but pancreatic polypeptide cells are quite rare and ghrelin and glucagon cells are more numerous than in normal human pancreas. Insulin immunoreactive cells stain for c-peptide. The ß-cell specific transcription factor, Nkx6.1, is expressed only in the insulin immunoreactive cells while neither Ptf1a or PDX-1 immunoreactive cells can be observed. Duct-like structures stain strongly for pan-cytokeratin and E-cahderin. The exocrine like tissue stains strongly for pancreatic amylase, lipase and chymotrypsin. Ngn-3 cells were very rare and not in the pancreatic area. Examining for endodermal markers we observed Sox17 had a weak staining in some areas of the pancreatic tissue but was much less widely expressed than FoxA2. The tumor tissue did not stain for the stem cell markers, Oct-4 and Sox2. It is speculated that the ectopic pancreas domain may arise from misexpression of homeodomain transcription factors related to Pdx1 within a domain of Ptf1a expression.


Subject(s)
Brain Diseases/diagnosis , Choristoma/diagnosis , Pancreas , Biomarkers/analysis , Brain/abnormalities , Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis , Child , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Hydrocephalus/complications , Hydrocephalus/diagnosis
10.
Ugeskr Laeger ; 172(38): 2608-12, 2010 Sep 20.
Article in Danish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20920405

ABSTRACT

Although the reconstitution of a functional ß-cell mass by transplantation of isolated islets can restore euglycaemia in the absence of insulin treatment, a shortage of donor material is preventing the use of cell replacement therapy for treatment of type 1 diabetes. Advances in directed differentiation of stem cells towards ß-cells via stepwise recapitulation of embryonic development demonstrate that stem cells may be an appropriate source for the generation of therapeutic cells. In the present article, we highlight some of the critical issues impeding the translation of stem cell-based therapies to the clinic.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/surgery , Insulin-Secreting Cells/transplantation , Islets of Langerhans Transplantation , Stem Cells , Animals , Cell Culture Techniques , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology , Embryonic Stem Cells/physiology , Endoderm/cytology , Humans , Immunosuppression Therapy/methods , Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology , Insulin-Secreting Cells/physiology , Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/immunology , Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/methods , Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology , Pluripotent Stem Cells/physiology , Stem Cells/cytology , Stem Cells/physiology
11.
Curr Opin Investig Drugs ; 11(4): 417-25, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20336589

ABSTRACT

Although the reconstitution of a functional beta-cell mass by transplantation of isolated islets can restore euglycemia in the absence of insulin treatment, a shortage of donor material is one of the factors preventing the general use of cell replacement therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Advances in the directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells toward beta-cells via the stepwise recapitulation of embryonic development have generated proof of concept demonstrating that stem cells may be an appropriate source of cells for the generation of therapeutic beta-cells. However, progress toward a clinical application of this technology is slow and challenging. This review highlights some of the critical issues impeding the translation of stem cell-based diabetes therapies to the clinic.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Insulin-Secreting Cells/transplantation , Pluripotent Stem Cells/transplantation , Animals , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Female , Humans , Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology , Insulin-Secreting Cells/physiology , Pregnancy , Stem Cells/cytology , Stem Cells/physiology
12.
Cell ; 138(3): 449-62, 2009 Aug 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19665969

ABSTRACT

We have previously reported that the loss of Arx and/or Pax4 gene activity leads to a shift in the fate of the different endocrine cell subtypes in the mouse pancreas, without affecting the total endocrine cell numbers. Here, we conditionally and ectopically express Pax4 using different cell-specific promoters and demonstrate that Pax4 forces endocrine precursor cells, as well as mature alpha cells, to adopt a beta cell destiny. This results in a glucagon deficiency that provokes a compensatory and continuous glucagon+ cell neogenesis requiring the re-expression of the proendocrine gene Ngn3. However, the newly formed alpha cells fail to correct the hypoglucagonemia since they subsequently acquire a beta cell phenotype upon Pax4 ectopic expression. Notably, this cycle of neogenesis and redifferentiation caused by ectopic expression of Pax4 in alpha cells is capable of restoring a functional beta cell mass and curing diabetes in animals that have been chemically depleted of beta cells.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Glucagon-Secreting Cells/cytology , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology , Paired Box Transcription Factors/metabolism , Pancreas/cytology , Stem Cells/cytology , Animals , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism , Glucagon/deficiency , Islets of Langerhans/cytology , Mice , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Pancreas/growth & development
13.
Endocrinology ; 150(6): 2577-85, 2009 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19213833

ABSTRACT

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)-39 is a seven-transmembrane receptor expressed mainly in endocrine and metabolic tissues that acts as a Zn(++) sensor signaling mainly through the G(q) and G(12/13) pathways. The expression of GPR39 is regulated by hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1alpha and HNF-4alpha, and in the present study, we addressed the importance of GPR39 for glucose homeostasis and pancreatic islets function. The expression and localization of GPR39 were characterized in the endocrine pancreas and pancreatic cell lines. Gpr39(-/-) mice were studied in vivo, especially in respect of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and in vitro in respect of islet architecture, gene expression, and insulin secretion. Gpr39 was down-regulated on differentiation of the pluripotent pancreatic cell line AR42J cells toward the exocrine phenotype but was along with Pdx-1 strongly up-regulated on differentiation toward the endocrine phenotype. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that GRP39 is localized selectively in the insulin-storing cells of the pancreatic islets as well as in the duct cells of the exocrine pancreas. Gpr39(-/-) mice displayed normal insulin sensitivity but moderately impaired glucose tolerance both during oral and iv glucose tolerance tests, and Gpr39(-/-) mice had decreased plasma insulin response to oral glucose. Islet architecture was normal in the Gpr39 null mice, but expression of Pdx-1 and Hnf-1alpha was reduced. Isolated, perifused islets from Gpr39 null mice secreted less insulin in response to glucose stimulation than islets from wild-type littermates. It is concluded that GPR39 is involved in the control of endocrine pancreatic function, and it is suggested that this receptor could be a novel potential target for the treatment of diabetes.


Subject(s)
Glucose/metabolism , Homeostasis/physiology , Islets of Langerhans/physiopathology , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Glucose/pharmacology , Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha/metabolism , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Insulin/blood , Islets of Langerhans/cytology , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Phenotype , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Zinc/metabolism
14.
Pancreas ; 38(1): 36-48, 2009 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18665014

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize a serum-free culture system resulting in highly enriched duct cells from human exocrine pancreas. In addition, we tested the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on endothelial cell proliferation and endocrine differentiation of the duct cells. METHODS: The exocrine pellet fraction was cultivated in suspension followed by monolayer culture. Time course analysis of multiple acinar and duct cell markers was performed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry. The effects of VEGF and placental growth factor on the quantities of endothelial, duct, and endocrine cells and fibroblasts were investigated using computerized imaging analysis. RESULTS: Suspension culture of the exocrine material efficiently enriched the cultures for duct cells. Frequent acinar cell death as well as cell selective adherence of acinar cells to the culture dish was the underlying cause of the enrichment. Confocal microscopy demonstrated the virtual absence of cells coexpressing duct cell- and acinar cell-specific markers. The endothelial immunoreactivity of the suspension culture system could be increased 2-fold by VEGF treatment, yet no effect was observed on endocrine cell numbers. CONCLUSIONS: We have characterized a serum-free in vitro culture system to enrich human duct cells and further show that the contribution of acinoductal transdifferentiation to the enrichment of duct cells is negligible.


Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation , Cell Transdifferentiation , Culture Media, Serum-Free/metabolism , Pancreas, Exocrine/cytology , Pancreatic Ducts/cytology , Adult , Apoptosis , Biomarkers/metabolism , Cell Adhesion , Cells, Cultured , Coculture Techniques , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Middle Aged , Pancreas, Exocrine/metabolism , Pancreatic Ducts/metabolism , Placenta Growth Factor , Pregnancy Proteins/metabolism , Time Factors , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
15.
Gen Comp Endocrinol ; 159(2-3): 241-9, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18845151

ABSTRACT

The Meriones Jirds belong to the genus of Gerbillinae (Rodentia: Muridae). We and others have previously reported the lack of the pancreatic beta-cell transcription factor, Pdx-1 in the fat sand rat, Psammomys obesus. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression and localization of Pdx-1 in phylogenetically related members of the Gerbillinae subfamily. In addition, we characterized by IHC the expression pattern of islet hormones and additional important pancreatic transcription factors in order to evaluate overall endocrine pancreas appearance. PCR showed that Pdx-1 was easily amplified from a wide range of phylogenetically distant species but not from 13 different gerbilline species. Identical to P. obesus the important beta-cell transcription factor Pdx-1 was absent from all five jirds. However, expression of other critical islet transcription factors and islet hormones was generally normal. Insulin was localized in the center of the islets with glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) found in the islet mantle. PYY cells were also observed and colocalized with PP cells. The NKX family of transcription factors were localized to the same cell types as seen in other rodents. MafA was nuclear localized in some of the insulin immunoreactive but not in other cell types, while MafB was found not only in the glucagon cells but also in many of the insulin cells. In conclusion, Pdx-1 appears to be lacking in all gerbils and despite the lack of Pdx-1, the Meriones Jirds have islets that are morphologically similar to other rodents and express hormones and transcription factors in the expected pattern except for MafA and MafB.


Subject(s)
Gerbillinae/metabolism , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/anatomy & histology , Islets of Langerhans/physiology , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Animals , DNA/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation/physiology , Gerbillinae/anatomy & histology , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Species Specificity , Trans-Activators/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism
16.
J Histochem Cytochem ; 56(6): 587-95, 2008 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18347078

ABSTRACT

Ptf1a and Pdx1 are critical transcription factors of early pancreatic development, as shown by loss of function studies where lack of each gene alone causes almost complete pancreas agenesis. Ptf1a is particularly interesting because it is linked to a recently reported signature gene expression profile associated with the multipotent condition. Few useful antibody reagents have been available for consistent and reliable immunohistochemical visualization of Ptf1a protein expression in the early developing pancreas in which the level of production of this critical regulator seems to be very low. We describe a novel rabbit antibody raised against the c-terminal portion of the mouse Ptf1a protein and report immunodetection, for the first time, as early as embryonic day (e) 8.5-e8.75 in the dorsal and ventral buds of the mouse pancreas as well as in the neural tube at e10.0. Detailed confocal analysis identifies an abundant triple-positive (Ptf1a(+)/Nkx6.1(+)/Pdx1(+)) putative early multipotent pancreatic progenitor cell that marks the e9.5 dorsal pancreas and e10.5 ventral pancreas. Furthermore, expression patterns of Nkx6.1 vs Ptf1a subsequently segregate during branching morphogenesis (trunk vs tip), ending up marking two distinct cell populations of progenitors at e12.5. From e15.5 (mouse) and in adult pancreas (mouse, rat, and human), the Ptf1a antibody marks only acinar cell nuclei, as expected for its subsequent role in committing/maintaining cells in this differentiated state. In summary, this antibody is a novel tool to further characterize important early steps of pancreas differentiation. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc.org. Please visit this article online to view these materials.


Subject(s)
Antibodies , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Pancreas/metabolism , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Adult , Animals , Antibody Specificity , Guinea Pigs , Humans , Mice , Multipotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Neural Tube/cytology , Neural Tube/embryology , Neural Tube/metabolism , Pancreas/cytology , Pancreas/embryology , Pancreas, Exocrine/cytology , Pancreas, Exocrine/embryology , Pancreas, Exocrine/metabolism , Rabbits , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Transcription Factors/immunology
17.
J Histochem Cytochem ; 56(4): 415-24, 2008 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18212389

ABSTRACT

The homeodomain transcription factor Nkx6-1 is essential for proper motor neuron development and development of insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells. Nkx6-1 is closely related to Nkx6-2 and Nkx6-3, and all three are expressed in the developing central nervous system and in the developing foregut. Immunohistochemical detection of protein expression is an important tool for description of the temporal differences in expression patterns. When several gene family members like the Nkx6 factors have overlapping or juxtaposed expression domains, there is an elevated risk of unrecognized cross-reactivity, and it is therefore crucial to determine the specificities of antibodies against such targets. In this study we have determined the epitope consensus sequences of four monoclonal antibodies against Nkx6-1 using SPOT membranes, and we refined the results by combined peptide recognition and blocking assays. We show that two of the monoclonal anti-Nkx6-1 antibodies specifically recognize Nkx6-1 and do not cross-react to Nkx6-2 and Nkx6-3. The other two monoclonal anti-Nkx6-1 antibodies are specific to Nkx6-1 in mice but do not recognize Nkx6-1 in chicken and human.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antibody Specificity , Chick Embryo , Cross Reactions , Homeodomain Proteins/immunology , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Mice , Molecular Sequence Data , Pancreas/metabolism , Rats
18.
Endocr Rev ; 28(6): 685-705, 2007 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17881611

ABSTRACT

Pancreas morphogenesis and cell differentiation are highly conserved among vertebrates during fetal development. The pancreas develops through simple budlike structures on the primitive gut tube to a highly branched organ containing many specialized cell types. This review presents an overview of key molecular components and important signaling sources illustrated by an extensive three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the developing mouse pancreas at single cell resolution. The 3D documentation covers the time window between embryonic days 8.5 and 14.5 in which all the pancreatic cell types become specified and therefore includes gene expression patterns of pancreatic endocrine hormones, exocrine gene products, and essential transcription factors. The 3D perspective provides valuable insight into how a complex organ like the pancreas is formed and a perception of ventral and dorsal pancreatic growth that is otherwise difficult to uncover. We further discuss how this global analysis of the developing pancreas confirms and extends previous studies, and we envisage that this type of analysis can be instrumental for evaluating mutant phenotypes in the future.


Subject(s)
Mice/embryology , Pancreas/embryology , Animals , Cell Differentiation , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Embryonic Development , Pancreas, Exocrine/embryology , Peptide Hormones/metabolism , Stem Cells/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism
19.
C R Biol ; 330(6-7): 534-7, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17631449

ABSTRACT

Blood glucose regulation has likely evolved during early vertebrate evolution to allow and secure the concurrent evolution of complex brains and nervous systems: an inner milieu of constant blood glucose levels through millions of years has provided an extra degree of freedom for the brain to evolve without having to think of getting energy supply. Key regulators of blood glucose, insulin, and glucagon are produced by the dominating cell types of the pancreatic islet of Langerhans: the insulin producing beta cells and the glucagon producing alpha cells. Interestingly, it appears that the beta cell pioneered the formation or the foundation of the pancreatic organ according to current phylogenetic insights. Such phylogenetic aspects of a pancreatic stem cell are at the end discussed in relation to directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells/ES cells towards therapeutic beta cells.


Subject(s)
Pancreas/cytology , Pancreas/growth & development , Stem Cells/physiology , Animals , Biological Evolution , Glucagon/metabolism , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Humans , Insulin/metabolism , Insulin-Secreting Cells/physiology , Phylogeny , Trans-Activators/genetics , Transcription Factors/physiology
20.
J Histochem Cytochem ; 55(9): 925-30, 2007 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17478445

ABSTRACT

We have developed a wholemount immunofluorescence protocol for the simultaneous detection of up to three proteins in mouse and chicken embryos. Combined with Murray's clearing reagent (BABB) and microscope objectives with long working ranges and high numerical apertures mounted on a confocal microscope, cellular resolution can be obtained in depths offering the possibility of examining expression patterns in entire organs or embryos. Three-dimensional projections of the optical confocal sections can be computed with computer software allowing rotation around any axis. The protocol is robust and we find that most antibodies working on tissue sections also work with this protocol. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc.org. Please visit this article online to view these materials.


Subject(s)
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/biosynthesis , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Homeodomain Proteins/biosynthesis , Nerve Tissue Proteins/biosynthesis , Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/biosynthesis , Trans-Activators/biosynthesis , Animals , Chick Embryo , Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism , Embryonic Development , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Mice , Microscopy, Confocal , Organ Specificity
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